Presbyopia-correction intraocular implant lenses.

Try saying that three times fast.

Or, imagine performing traumatic cataract surgery, a cornea transplant or repairing someone’s iris. All in a day’s work for Michael E. Snyder, M.D., an ophthalmologist with Cincinnati Eye Institute (CEI). He is but one more skilled, professional profile in eye care excellence exemplifying CEI’s vision to be recognized as the first and best choice for eye care, locally and around the world.

Snyder, who hails from Michigan, left a small ophthalmology practice in upstate New York 22 years ago specifically to join the CEI eye care and clinical research team. He has never regretted the move.

"I was looking for something more academic, I wanted to advance beyond day-to-day care," he recalls. A mentor mentioned an opening for an anterior segment surgeon at CEI, he applied, interviewed with 20 CEI officials and physicians and the rest is an amazing history.

"I’m very lucky," says Snyder. "At CEI, we have the best, most awesome patients, and we see all kinds of interesting things. My niche is treating significantly diseased eyes and iris problems. Iris prothesis is a passion of mine." Only fitting, then, that Snyder, along with Robert Osher, M.D., son of CEI founder, Dr. Morris Osher, pioneered artificial iris prosthesis use in the United States. He has also developed extensive expertise with presbyopia-correcting intraocular implant lenses.

"We have unique implant lenses for a broad range of vision issues," he notes. "CEI is involved in a number of studies that will further enhance some of these implant lenses. We regularly conduct on-going clinical trials, which is a fun, exciting part of my job. At CEI, we’re committed to both patient care and clinical research."

Snyder describes CEI as a "research powerhouse" in the areas of glaucoma, retina, cataract, corneal, dry eye and stem cell therapies. "Our commitment to research is important because it involves the entire institute. Our clinical and research staff goes beyond superb. We all work as a team, an amazing team committed to excellence, making things excellent today and even better tomorrow."

He had no epiphany moment that drew him to ophthalmology, it just seemed like one of the most interesting career paths to follow, Snyder recalls.

"And it suited my personality and skill sets. Personally, I am a firm believer that anyone doing something they enjoy and love will become good at it. And the more they become good at it, the more success they will enjoy, in any field. I love what I do. I get to help people all day. It’s a great job."

Beyond his professional dedication to his practice is a laser focus on his home life. "I’m a family guy," says Snyder. "If I’m not working, I’m spending time with my family. It’s a treat to just spend time with family and friends, the people I love."

Snyder completed his undergraduate degree in psychology and his medical degree from University of Michigan followed by an internship in internal medicine and general surgery at Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center in Denver. He served as resident and chief resident in ophthalmology at Kreiger Eye Institute of Sinai Hospital of Baltimore. He further pursued subspecialty training in cataract, anterior segment and refractive surgery, cornea and external diseases, and ocular immunology at New England Eye Center and Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston. Following his fellowship, Snyder cultivated a referral practice in cataract and corneal surgery in Albany, New York, where he also taught residents as an assistant clinical professor of ophthalmology at Albany Medical College before coming to CEI.

"We see people from all over the country and the world, but we focus our attention on Cincinnati, applying unique treatments to individual patients with unique problems as well as treating people with common eye problems in an individual way. We’re here to serve the people of Cincinnati and anybody with eyesight problems who needs us."

CEI is one of the largest ophthalmology practices in the United States with 44 ophthalmologists and 17 optometrists, many of whom are recognized among the top sub-specialists in their field, practicing in 14 locations across the Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana tri-state area. Today, CEI is one of the world’s premier ophthalmic treatment, research and education centers. 

For more information on Cincinnati Eye Institute (CEI), call 513.984.5133 or 1.800.544.5133 or visit www.cincinnatieye.com.